ROUROU: Chinese Delights

By Paul McInnes, Thursday November 3, 2005 - fashion-shows

In the theatrical setting of Tokyo’s Teien Art Museum in Meguro former model Maki Hayazono uncovered her latest collection for her label ROUROU.

She proved that she is a blossoming talent on the Tokyo fashion scene with a professional array of Asian influenced design.

Hayazono designs “Asian Clothes for Princesses” and this show confirmed this assertion. This was an unashamedly feminine line with wrapped white dresses and beautiful white sets that resembled pyjamas. The all Asian models looked like summer fairies entering the arena from lavish Japanese gardens.

Butterfly blouses and cute petal patterned skirts gave an air of classic summer wear. This collection was primarily influenced by Chinese design which is unsurprising as Hayazono has stores in Yokohama’s Chinatown. Chinese jackets, halterneck tops in summer colours along with vivid petal aprons gave an aura of composure to the line.

Imperial red and Beijing black dresses with tiny shawls stole the show and ROUROU became the toast of Tokyo on an overcast Autumnal evening. This was a beautifully produced show with precise coordination and gorgeous models and special mention should go to Yoshihiro Sum’s extravagant and ornate hair design that completed the overall mood.

See photos

About the Author

Paul McInnes is a fashion and arts journalist based in Tokyo. He is the menswear fashion editor of The Japan Times, the Tokyo editor of Sportswear International, contributes to High Fashion, Dazed Digital, and JC Report.

Comment （日本語もOK）

Excellently expressed by Paul. The truly Asian designs of this show were a delight after the many European centered creations of the past week.

Unfortunately, we photographers were literally put out in left field during this show. We had to shoot outside, in the dark, with rain falling. Two terrible spot lights were the only illumination to cover the models, who initially also stayed too far away from the photographers.

So I am afraid the heavily contrasted photos don’t do justice to the beautful creations we got to see.

Hopefully, designer Maki Hayazono will pay more attention to the needs of the fashion photographers in the future. Her work certainly deserves it.